Sink



H. R. BENSON DEC. 2 7, 1

SINK

6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dec. 16, 1963 INVENTQR. HAROLD R. BENSON BY WATTORNEYS Dec. 27, 1966 Filed Dec. 16, 1963 FIG. 2

H. R. BENSON 3,294,004

SINK

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD R. BENSON BY MM 7% f ATTORNEYS H. R.BENSON Dec. 27, 1966 SINK 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed D90. 16, 1963 INVENTOR.HAROLD R. BENSON Z/M, 4mg; 4,

ZZZ/A i ATTORNEYS H. R. BENSON Dec. 27, 1966 SINK 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledDec. 16, 1963 INVENTOR.

HAROLD R. BENSON BY%M0-,

fa/w t f ATTORNEYS H. R. BENSON Dec. 27, 1966 SINK 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Dec. 16, 1965 INVENTOR HAROLD R. BENSON By WW, 4Mwm ATTORNEYS Dec.27, 1966 H. R. BENSON 3,294,004

SINK

Filed Dec. 16, 1965 e Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR. HAROLD R. BENSON BY%/a kow 7% f My ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiiice 3,294,004 Patented Dec.27, 1966 3,294,004 SINK Harold R. Benson, Lombard, Ill., assignor to TheNuarc Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 16,1963, Ser. No. 330,800 8 Claims. (Cl. 95-96) The present inventionrelates to a sink, and, more particularly, to a three-level verticalsink for processing sensitized photographic materials and the like.

In the development of photographic plates, films, papers, and otherlight sensitive materials, it is conventional practice initially toimmerse the sensitized material into a developing solution to bring outthe exposed latent image on the material. Once the image has beenbrought out in the developing solution, the sensitized material is thentransferred to a stop solution, the action of which is to stop thedevelopment of the image on the sensitized material. Thereafter thesensitized material is transferred to a fixing solution, the function ofwhich is to render the sensitized material insensitive to further lightexposure by dissolving or otherwise Washing away the unexposed portionsof the sensitized materials.

Since the temperature of some of these solutions is quite critical inorder to obtain optimum results, it is common to immerse trays of thesolution in water of controlled temperature in order to maintain thesolutions at the desired optimum temperature. Heretofore, it has beencommon to space the trays in horizontally spaced relation in sinkbasins. Obviously such an arrangement consumes a large amount of floorspace in a photographic dark room. It is desirable to provide a new andimproved processing sink for sensitized materials and the like whichovercomes the above-mentioned difliculties.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand improved processing sink.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved developing sink of the type for processing light-sensitivematerials and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedprocessing sink which occupies a minimum fioor space area.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent as the following description proceeds and the features ofnovelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisspecification.

In accordance with these and other objects of the present invention,there is provided a new and improved sinkfor processing light-sensitivematerials and the like. The sink comprises a base structure carrying aplurality of vertically spaced sink basins. The sink basins are eachadapted to hold a removable tray positioned in a respective one of thebasins. Each basin is provided with drain means and includes an overflowstandpipe for controlling the level of water in the basin. Hot and coldwater valves, and mixing spigots are provided for some of the basins, sothat water of the desired temperature may be circulated around the traysto provide the desired temperature for the solutions in the trays.Darkroom safe lights are provided above each tray to facilitatedevelopment and processing of the light-sensitive materials. Moreover,in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, thelowermost basin protrudes forwardly of the other basins to catch anydrippings from the other basins.

Advantageously, the vertical arrangement of the basins provides aprocessing sink requiring a much smaller floor area than theconventional type of processing arrangement wherein the sinks arehorizontally spaced. Moreover, the temperature of the trays may becontrolled individually by controlling the temperature of the waterflowing around the trays. The provision of an extendable hand-sprayerprovides water wherever it is required in the photographic darkroom, andfacilitates cleaning of the basins. Moreover, and most importantly, thenew and improved vertical sink positions all the trays and watercontrols within easy reach for faster, fatigue-free processing ofsensitized materials.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may behad to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the improved processing sink according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the processing sink of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the processing sink of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the processing sink of FIG. 1,taken along line 44 of FIG. 2; v

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the processing sink ofFIG. 1 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, and illustrating the standpipearrangement in detail;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a processing sinkaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the processingsink of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the processing sink of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the processing sink of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the processing sink ofFIG. 5, illustrating the connection of the standpipe.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 5, there is illustrated a processing or developing sink 10according to the present invention. The sink 10 includes an upper,intermediate and lower sink basin 11, 12 and 13, respectively, carriedby a unitary base structure 14 formed of any suitable material such asFiberglas, or steel coated with acidresistant baked enamel. The basestructure 14 includes a back wall 16, a pair of closed side walls 17 and18, and a substantially open front wall 19. The side walls 17 and 18have their front edge inclined slightly upwardly and to the rear so thatthe front wall 19 is slightly inclined upwardly and to the rear.Moreover, the front edge 13a of the lower basin extends forwardly of thebasins 11 and 12 so as to catch any drippings from the basins 11 and 12.The basins 11, 12 and 13 are all of steel construction withchemically-resistant coatings of epoxy phenolic material.

To provide for holding the processing solutions, the

basins 11, 12 and 13 are all adapted to hold processing trays 22, 23 and24, respectively. In a conventional photographic light-sensitivedeveloping process, the upper tray 22 would hold developing solution,the intermediate tray would hold a rinse or stop solution, and the lowertray would hold a fixing solution. In accordance with the presentinvention, the trays 22, 23 and 24 are conveniently accessible from thetop of tray 22 and the upper front of trays 23 and 24. Moreover,sensitized materials may readily be transferred from the uppermost tray22 to the intermediate tray 23 to the lowermost tray 24 in their courseof processing.

For maintaining trays 22, 23 and 24 in a bath of water of suitabletemperature to maintain the desired temperature of processing fluidwithin the trays, the sink basins 11 and 12 are equipped to maintain aflow of water therethrough, and basin 13 may also be filled with a waterbath. Each of the basins 11, 12 and 13 is provided with a cup-shapeddrain 28, FIG. 5, provided with perforations 28a in the lower surfacethereof to provide drain openings, each connecting into a single drainpipe 29 through a branch conduit 29a. Moreover, there is provided asnap-in overflow standpipe 30, removably positioned in each of thedrains 28, with the upper end 30a terminating below the top of therespective trays 22, 23 and 24. The height of the standpipe determinesthe height of the water bath in the respective basins 11, 12 and 13. AnO-ring 31 positioned between the outer surface of the standpipe 30 andthe inner cylindrical side walls of the drain 28 is effective to sealthe standpipe 30 relative to the drain 28. It will be appreciated thatwhen it is desired to provide a bath in the basins 11, 12 and 13, thebasins 11, 12 and 13 may be filled with water up to the top 30a of thestandpipe 30. When it is desired to empty the bath from the basins 11,12 and 13, the standpipes 30 may be removed from the basins 11, 12 and13 and the basins will empty through the drains 28.

The bath water temperature for the upper basin 11 may be selected at anydesired temperature by means of a water faucet 34 including a jet streamspigot 35 positioned to direct a jet stream of water into the basin 11to provide a swirling or moving current of water, controlled by hot andcold water controls 36 and 37, respectively.

To control the temperature of the bath water in the intermediate basin12, there is provided a selective faucet assembly 40 including a spigot41 positioned to direct water into the intermediate basin 12, and hotand cold Water controls 42 and 43, respectively. Additionally, the waterfaucet 49 includes a selector valve 44 to selectively direct water fromthe hot and cold water controls 42 and 43 to the spigot 41, or to anextendable, flexible hand hose spray 45. The hand hose spray 45 can beused not only to fill the lowermost basin 13, but, additionally,provides a supply of water anywhere it is needed in the darkroom, forexample during the washing of the basins 11, 12, and 13. The temperatureof the fixing solution normally in the lower tray 24 is not generally ascritical as the temperature of the developing and stop solutions;however, if desired, a permanent circulating water system may beprovided for the lowermost basin 13 similar to that provided for thebasin 11 and 12.

To provide a source of illumination for the processing operation, thesink 10 is provided with suitable darkroom safe lights 48, 49, and 50,positioned above respective ones of the basins 11, 12 and 13, and havinga suitable safe light cover, for example, ruby. A toggle switch 52simultaneously controls all the safe lights 48, 49, and 50, and anindicator light 53 may be used to indicate the position of the toggleswitch 52. Of course, it is understood that, if desired, separate switchcontrols may be provided for each of the safe lights 48, 49 and 50.

A modified embodiment of a developing sink according to the presentinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10. It is understood that thesink disclosed in FIGS. 6 to 10 is similar to that heretofore describedin discussing FIGS. 1 to above. Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS.6 through 10, there is illustrated a processing or developing sink 110,including an upper, intermediate, and lower sink basin 111, 112, and113, respectively, carried by a base structure 114 vacuum-molded ofpolyvinyl chloride or other suitable plastic material. The basins 111,112 and 113 may be of any suitable material, but in the illustratedembodiment, the basins 111, 112, and 113 are vacuum-formed of suitableplastic material. The base structure 114 includes a pair of closed sidewalls 117 and 118, interconnected by a plurality of tie rods, which, inthe illustrated embodiment, are one-half inch threaded fastenersextending between the side walls 117 and 118 directly below the pans111, 112, and 113. The side walls 117 and 118 have a front edge inclinedslightly upwardly and to the rear so that the front of the sink 110 isinclined slightly upwardly and to the rear. Moreover, a front edge 113a,FIG. 9, of the lower basin extends forwardly of the basins 111 and 112so as to catch any dripping from the basins 111 and 112.

To provide for holding the processing solutions, the basins 111, 112,and 113 are all adapted to hold processing trays 122, 123, and 124,respectively. As heretofore described, in a conventional photographiclightsensitive developing process the upper tray 122 would hold thedeveloping solution; the intermediate tray would hold a rinse, or stopsolution; and the lower tray would hold a fixing solution. The trays122, 123, and 124 are conveniently accessible from the top of tray 122and the upper front of trays 123 and 124. Moreover, sensitized materialsmay readily be transferred from the upper-most tray 122 to theintermediate tray 123 to the lowermost tray 12: in their course ofprocessing.

From maintaining the trays 122, 123, and 124 in a bath of water ofsuitable temperature to maintain the desirable temperature of theprocessing fluid within the trays, the sink basins 111, 112, and 113 areequipped to maintain a flow of water therethrough. Each of the basins111, 112, and 113 is provided with a drain 128 (FIG. 10), provided withthreads 128a on the inner surface thereof, each connecting into a singledrain pipe 129 through suitable branch conduits. Moreover, there isprovided an overflow standpipe 130, removably threaded in the respectivedrains 1255 with the upper end 130a, FIG. 10, terminating below the topof the respective trays 122, 123, and 124. The height of the standpipe130 determines the height of the water bath in the respective basins111, 112, and 113. When it is desired to provide a bath in the basins111, 112, and 113, the basins 111, 112, and 113 may be filled with waterup to the top 130a of the standpipe 130. When it is desired to empty thebath from the basins 111, 112, and 113, the standpipes 131 may beremoved from the basins and the basins will empty through the drains128.

The bath water temperature for the basins 111, 112, and 113 may beselected at any desired temperature by means of hot and cold watercontrols. More specifically, there are provided hot and cold watercontrols 134, 135, respectively, connected to discharge a stream ofwater into the lowermost basin 113. A second set of faucets includinghot and cold water controls 136, 137, respectively, is connected todischarge a stream of water into the intermediate basin 112. Moreover, athird set of faucets including hot and cold water controls 138, 139,respectively, are connected to discharge a stream of water into theuppermost basin 111.

To provide a source of illumination for the processing operation, thesink 110 is provided with suitable darkroom safe lights 148, 149, and150, positioned above respective ones of the basins 111, 112, and 113and having a suitable safe light covering, for example, ruby. A toggleswitch 152 simultaneously controls all the safe lights 148, 149, and andan indicator light 153 may be used to indicate the position of thetoggle switch 152. Of course, it is is understood that, if desired,separate switch controls may be provided for each of the safe lights148, 149, and 150.

It will be seen that a developing sink with the vertical arrangement ofthe basins in accordance with the present invention requires a muchsmaller floor area than a conventional type of processing arrangementwherein the sink basins are spaced horizontally of each other. Moreover,the temperature of the trays may be controlled easily and convenientlyby controlling the temperature of the water bath around the tray. Theprovision of the extendable handsprayer in one embodiment provides waterwherever it is required in a photographic darkroom and facilitiescleaning of the basins. The forward extension of the lower basin iseffective to catch drippings from the other basins. Moreover, and quiteimportantly, the new and improved vertical basin positions all the traysand water controls within easy reach during a processing operation.

Although the present invention has been described by reference to only asingle embodiment thereof, it will be apparent that numerous othermodifications and embodiments will be devised by those skilled in theart which will fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A sink for processing sensitized materials and the like, comprising abase structure; a plurality of vertically spaced sink basins carried bysaid base structure; drain means in each of said basins and includingoverflow standpipe means for controlling the level of water in eachrespective basin; a plurality of inner removable trays, each positionedin a respective one of said basins; and means for selectively directinga flow of hot and cold water into at least one of said basins.

2. A sink as set forth in claim 1 above and including darkroom safelight means positioned above each of said basins.

3. A sink for processing sensitized materials and the like, comprising abase structure; a plurality of vertically spaced sink basins carried bysaid base structure; drain means in each of said basins and including aremovable overflow standpipe for controlling the level of water in eachrespective basin; a plurality of inner removable trays, each positionedin a respective one of said basins; and means for selectively directinga flow of hot and cold water into each of said basins.

4. A developing sink for processing sensitized materials and the like,comprising a base structure; a plurality of vertically spaced sinkbasins carried by said base structure, the bottom one of said basinsprotruding forwardly of the other basins to catch any drippage from saidother basins; drain means in each of said basins, each connecting into acommon drain pipe; removable overflow standpipe means operativelyassociated with each of said drain means for controlling the level ofwater in each respective basin; a plurality of inner removable trays,each positioned in a respective one of said basins, and having sidewalls extending above the water level in each basin as determined by theheight of the respective standpipe means; and means for selectivelydirecting a flow of water into selected ones of said basins, includingmeans for preselecting the temperature of said flow of water.

5. A developing sink for processing sensitized materials and the like,comprising a base structure having a substantially open front wall; aplurality of vertically spaced sink basins carried by said basestructure accessible from the top and from said open front wall, thebottom one of said basins protruding forwardly of the other basins tocatch any drippage from said other basins; drain means in each of saidbasins, each connecting into a common drain pipe; removable overflowstandpipe means operatively positionable with each of said drain meansfor controlling the level of water in each respective basin; a pluralityof inner removable trays, each positioned in a respective one of saidbasins, and having side walls extending above the water level in eachbasin as determined by the height of the respective standpipe means;faucet means having a spigot for directing water into the upper basinand including hot and cold water controls; and

faucet means having a spigot for directing a stream of water into theintermediate basin and including means for selectively directing waterinto said lower basin; and hot and cold water controls selectivelyconnectable with the last-mentioned spigot and the last-mentioned means.

6. A developing sink for processing sensitized materials and the like,comprising a base structure having a back and closed side walls andhaving a substantially open front wall inclined slightly upwardly and tothe rear; a plurality of vertically spaced sink basins carried by saidbase structure accessible from the top and from said open front wall,the bottom one of said basins protruding forwardly of the other basinsto catch any drippage from said other basins; cup-shaped drain means ineach of said basins, each connecting into a common drain pipe; snap-inremovable overflow standpipe means for controlling the level of water ineach respective basin; a plurality of inner removable trays, eachpositioned in a respective one of said basins, and having side wallsextending above the water level in each basin as determined by tl eheight of the respective standpipe means; jet stream water faucet meanshaving a spigot for directing a swirling stream of water in the upperbasin and including hot and cold water controls; and faucet means havinga spigot for directing a stream of water into the intermediate basin andfurther including an extendable hand-sprayer and hot and cold watercontrols selectively connectable with said lastmentioned spigot and saidsprayer.

7. A sink for processing sensitized materials and the like, comprising abase structure; a plurality of vertically spaced sink basins carried bysaid base structure; drain means in each of said basins for controllingthe level of water in each respective basin; a plurality of innerremovable trays, each positioned in a respective one of said basins; andmeans for directing a flow of hot and cold water selectively into eachof said basins independently of the other basins.

8. A sink for processing sensitized materials and the like, comprising abase structure; a plurality of vertically spaced sink basins carried bysaid base structure; drain means in each of said basins; means fordirecting a flow of hot and cold water selectively into each of saidbasins independently of the other basins; and darkroom safe light meanspositioned above each of said basins.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,215,237 2/1917Barker 4-4 2,504,217 4/1950 Nelson et a1 95 X 2,589,592 3/1952 Ocana 442,814,809 12/1957 Boyle 312--229 X FOREIGN PATENTS 276,924 7/1914Germany.

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

C. B. PRICE, Assistant Examiner.

8. A SINK FOR PROCESSING SENSITIZED MATERIALS AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING ABASE STRUCTURE; A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SAPCED SINK BASINS CARRIED BYSAID BASE STRUCTURE; DRAIN MEANS IN EACH OF SAID BASINS; MEANS FORDIRECTING A FLOW OF HOT AND COLD WATER SELECTIVELY INTO EACH OF SAIDBASINS INDEPENDENTLY OF THE OTHER BASINS; AND DARKROOM SAFE LIGHT MEANSPOSITIONED ABOVE EACH OF SAID BASINS.